Match Preview
Manchester City face a monumental task on Wednesday night as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 play-off match against Real Madrid. Following a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at the Etihad Stadium last week, City must now win by a two-goal margin to advance to the next round. Despite their strong performance in the first leg, two late goals from Real Madrid not only secured a narrow victory but also put City in a challenging position. The stakes are incredibly high, and the pressure is intense, but with a resilient team and a recent 4-0 victory over Newcastle United, City have reasons to be optimistic.
Team News
For Manchester City, the injury concern heats up the already tense atmosphere. Defender Manuel Akanji, who suffered an injury in the first leg, is ruled out and may be sidelined until the end of the season. Jack Grealish, who was forced off in the first half with a suspected groin injury, has returned to training and is in contention to start. Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, and Erling Haaland have all trained and could be available, though Haaland’s participation remains uncertain due to a knee injury sustained against Newcastle. Oscar Bobb and Rodri will also miss the match due to long-term injuries. Real Madrid, on the other hand, welcomes back David Alaba, Lucas Vasquez, and Antonio Rudiger, who were absent from the first leg due to injuries. However, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain out, adding to the hosts’ list of absentees.
Head-to-Head
The history of clashes between Manchester City and Real Madrid is rich and often dramatic. Manchester City have only won once in six visits to the Santiago Bernabeu, with a memorable 2-1 victory in 2020 featuring goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne. The two clubs have faced each other in the UEFA Champions League five times in the last six seasons, making Real Madrid the most frequent opponent for City in the competition. Over 13 encounters, the teams have each secured four wins, with five draws after 90 minutes. This history suggests a well-matched and intensely competitive tie, with both teams knowing what to expect from their opponents.
Statistics
The statistics offer a stark reminder of the difficulty City faces. Real Madrid’s 3-2 win in the first leg marks the 40th time they have won the first leg of a European knockout stage tie away from home, and they have progressed to the next round in 37 of those 39 instances. Manchester City’s 3-2 defeat was the fifth time they have lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie, and on each of the previous four occasions, they have been eliminated. Real Madrid have a strong home record against City, losing only once in six UEFA Champions League home games. Manchester City have faced Spanish opponents 27 times in the Champions League, with nine losses, which is almost twice as many as against teams from any other nation. Real Madrid have only failed to score once in their last 78 UEFA Champions League home games, a 3-0 loss to CSKA Moscow in 2018. City have conceded 20 shots in the first leg, the most any away team has faced at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola. However, the table can turn, and City’s resilience and recent form provide a glimmer of hope.
Match Officials
The officiating team for this crucial match is predominantly Romanian, led by on-field referee István Kovács. Manchester City have never lost a game with Kovács officiating, while Real Madrid suffered a 4-3 defeat to City in a match he oversaw in 2022. This could be a positive omen for City, though the focus will remain firmly on the players and coaches to determine the outcome. The full team of match officials can be found here.
How to Watch
For those in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT. U.S. viewers can tune in to Paramount+ for live coverage. To ensure you don’t miss a moment, check out the full global TV listings for the match. City Xtra will provide comprehensive live coverage across their X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram channels, as well as on their website and YouTube. The atmosphere around this match is electric, and with so much at stake, fans from both teams are eagerly awaiting the showdown at one of football’s most iconic venues.
